Growing Agricultural Literacy Through Teacher Farm Tours
Extension Education
Vanessa Roberts
County Extension Director
Auburn University
Ft. Payne
Abstract
Agriculture contributes more than $70 billion annually to Alabama’s economy, and DeKalb County ranks first in the state for beef cattle and broiler chicken production. Despite agriculture’s economic significance, many students and educators are several generations removed from the farm and lack exposure to modern agricultural practices. This disconnect limits agricultural literacy and reduces opportunities to integrate real-world agricultural examples into science instruction. The objective of this program was to increase local educators’ understanding of agricultural production systems, strengthen alignment between agriculture and middle school science standards, increase teacher confidence in integrating agricultural concepts, and promote classroom implementation of agricultural curriculum.
A Teacher Farm Tour was implemented to provide a full-day immersive learning experience for seventh and eighth grade science educators. The program included an overview of Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom resources, visits to Murphree Seed Farm, the Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center, and Jubal-Lee Farms, and interactive discussions with producers and Extension personnel. Participants observed row crop, fruit, vegetable, and livestock production systems and explored connections between agriculture and science standards. A locally sourced agricultural lunch prepared by the DeKalb County Cattlemen’s Association reinforced farm-to-table concepts. Each participating teacher received $100 in classroom agricultural curriculum materials from National Ag in the Classroom funded by the DeKalb County Farmers Federation.
Eight educators participated, resulting in $800 of agricultural materials distributed to classrooms. Post-event evaluations indicated increased awareness of local agricultural systems, improved understanding of agriculture’s connection to science standards, and greater confidence in teaching agriculture related concepts. Participants also reported plans to incorporate agricultural examples into science lessons. Results suggest that immersive agricultural experiences can significantly increase educator agricultural literacy and promote classroom integration of agriculture-based instruction.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Vanessa Roberts
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Roberts, V. DeKalb County Extension Director, Alabama Extension, Alabama, 35967